Dynasty

I assumed it was Maryland for a good second, based on the template and "Tops" helmet logo. I guess chrome is still used by teams; I thought that would've been phased out by now.

I'm not even from Pittsburgh and I knew about the significance of PGH. The City Connects look fine, but that patch is rather lame (their logo in a black circle...?). They could've came up with something new with an element tied to the city area, even if they already did that subliminally in the rest of the uniform.

They could use outlines, but I am beyond happy that they fixed the shoulder numbers; I hated how they bled off the arm stripes. It feels like the color balance is a little better on these as well (not too much white, more black).

The Suns are still too top-heavy. I could be eating my own words this time next year, but I think this is going to blow up in their faces. It will all be a waste.

It's solid, though based on what it's replacing, it was gonna be an improvement either way. What exactly is the symbolism on the second finalist?

Did I say rigged? I based my comment on the notion that the league (or Bettman) wants hockey in the Sunbelt to succeed. We were getting a champion from that region either way, and I even initially stated my support for both teams.

I knew after they lost the 2018 Final, the Knights would still get one at some point. It's what the league wanted anyway.

I'm a little disappointed that Miami had to a lose a Finals series again, but as a franchise, they've had their run of success. Denver absolutely deserved this one, first title and all. It was fitting.

Florida's seeding is starting to show. I figured at some point reality was going to sink in. Also, the Golden Knights are scoring like 4-5 goals a game. I don't even think a hot goalie could stave off that much of an offensive barrage.

Both Central divisions have been very subpar in the past several years. I don't know why most of the teams from the Midwest can't compete, but I think for some of them, it's just for a lack of trying. It makes me wish teams like the Orioles were in the AL Central.

I'm sorry that the two represented teams will be from metros where it doesn't snow. If only we had Boston or New York. I get that Las Vegas and South Florida don't have established fanbases or a history, but I'm just content with seeing a matchup where one can do just that, with winning their first title. I always enjoy those stories. I don't know what the ratings will be, but really I don't care.

This is somewhat surprising. Once they both made the Conference Finals, it just felt like the expected narrative would be the Lakers and Celtics meeting each other because of how many times it's happened before. LA was better than a 7 seed, but they were still much lower than Denver and I believe the Nuggets may have gotten past their Conference Finals demons. Boston has just given up; completely out of sync (plus, the Heat are burning at the perfect time).

A historically successful franchise with lots of titles winning the chance of drafting a generational talent? That sounds familiar...

Philadelphia should just forfeit the rest of the season every year if both they and Boston make the playoffs. That's a franchise they will never beat anyway.

I'm surprised by the genuinely positive feedback for those; I think they're overall ugly. What's up with the cap logo? Does it mean something or is it just some modern design Nike created because whatever? I expected CINCY to be in there and I don't hate that at all. All black is excessive and I really wonder how much contrast there will be with the elements when they are on the field. I was hoping for an old-timey fauxback, thinking that was more appropriate for such an old franchise. But most of the city connects suck so this will just be another one.

I don't know if it's because the two teams left in the East aren't considered the best remaining (and I guess they don't deserve to be there?), or it's the elitism from the Northern fans thinking hockey belongs to them. Either way I don't care, I'm looking forward to seeing one of these teams in the SCF.

I've noticed that nearly every game I see in Jacksonville, the field is completely covered in shade. A canopy-style roof would be good for the fans in that Florida heat, but I wonder how much sunlight would be present during games. I know it just gets cloudy down there more often than not, so maybe it's a non-issue, like with Miami.

There is really only one bad one of the bunch... and it is definitely going to be the winner. I won't say anything misogynist about the designer, but I will say that Tiktok is a very powerful tool and I'll give her props for that.

I have the strongest feeling that the winner of LAL-GS is winning the Finals. No explanation really; just a hunch.

I won't comment on the timing of his termination, but I'll still say that Budenholzer was the weakest link to that Bucks team winning it in 2021. I think Milwaukee will be fine without him for the most part.

I haven't watch USC football, but is Caleb Williams really that great? He seems to be getting a lot of praise, but who's to say he isn't just another Kyler Murray? Again, I haven't watched him play so I don't entirely know, but I have heard he has some character/maturity concerns.

So I guess the NHL also doesn't do re-seeding for their playoff bracket. Was this changed with the expansion of Vegas or Seattle? It's the first time I have noticed it for both the NHL and NBA.

I know the President's Trophy is labeled as "cursed," but I was thinking something had to give. Despite how great the Bruins have been in the past decade, I'm still surprised they have little to show for it. It really felt like this could've been their year... at least in the regular season I did.

Knocking off the defending champs would be one way for your first ever playoff series to go.

Jimmy Butler single-handedly took down the statistically best team in the NBA. What a legend. The Heat can beat anyone.